The Dodgers got a head start on the trade deadline by reeling in the biggest fish, acquiring All-Star shortstop Manny Machado from the Orioles. Along the way the team climbed into first place and is in the middle of a stretch of games against contending teams.

Clayton Kershaw is getting closer to returning, trying to join a pair of Dodgers pitchers in rejoining the starting rotation. Plus a discussion of what pitchers the Dodgers might target in trade, a look at LA’s series unbeaten streak, and a pair of Dodgers going back and forth between the majors and minors.

NOTE: Due to user (read: Jacob) error on using a new recording setup, there was some drift between Eric and Jacob's recording tracks. We tried to fix it in post as much as we can, but there may be some moments that sound a little off.

A look at the topsy-turvy Dodgers starting rotation, including Ross Stripling pitching like an All-Star and Walker Buehler indispensable. Clayton Kershaw is hurt again and four-fifths of the rotation is on the disabled list. We have not one, but two major league debuts in a week in Caleb Ferguson and Dennis Santana. All that, plus the great surprises on offense of Matt Kemp and Max Muncy, and the long climb back to .500.

This week on the podcast we find the Dodgers in much better relative position in the National League West, thanks to an unexpected winning streak and cooperation from the rest of the division. Also on this episode, a hole in the rotation and in Rich Hill’s finger, Clayton Kershaw getting closer to returning, a new baseball card guessing game, and scrambled egg talk.

Digging into the disastrous road trip for the Dodgers, which included 7 losses in 11 games and injuries to Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager, Hyun-jin Ryu and Yasiel Puig. Oh yeah, and they also pitched a no-hitter in Mexico!